A new bill introduced to Congress may add some much-needed relief to students’ wallets when buying textbooks.

Congressman David Wu, D-Ore., introduced H.R. 3567, a bill specifically aimed at aiding college students, to the U.S. House of Representatives Nov. 20.

Cameron Johnson, press secretary for Wu, said the proposed bill will require an in-depth investigation of the college textbook industry.

“The bill is a simple piece of legislature that requires the General Accounting Office, which is the investigative arm of Congress, to conduct an investigation into potential price manipulation in the college textbook publishing industry,” Johnson said.

In the bill, which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, studies found students can spend nearly $1,000 per year on college textbooks, and, for many students, particularly those in two-year degree certificate programs, textbooks make up a large percentage of postsecondary education costs.

The study also stated American college students often find their textbooks cost far less overseas than they do in the United States. In many cases, the exact same textbook can be purchased overseas at half the cost.

Johnson said Wu hopes the bill will be added to the revised Higher Education Act in 2004.

Rita Phillips, division manager of the University Book Store, said the average freshman can spend anywhere from $300 to $400 on textbooks their first semester.

She said a student’s major is a deciding factor on how much will be spent on textbooks.

“Engineering textbooks are the highest-priced,” Phillips said. “Engineering students may spend $350 to $500 in textbooks.”

Phillips said students complain about purchasing textbooks if instructors do not utilize the books in the class. She said the more a textbook is used, the more valuable they become.

Johnson said he urges college students to support H.R. 3567 by contacting their state lawmakers.

“The best thing students can do is call their congressmen and ask them to co-sponsor the bill,” he said.